Short cuts on herbal leys ‘could be false economy’

Think beyond sustainable farming  payments

Livestock producers growing herbal leys simply for Sustainable Farming Incentive payments could be missing out on wider benefits.

Not all SAM3 herbal ley mixtures  are the same – and choosing the cheapest option for the SFI payment could be a false economy, suggests Agrii grass, roots and environmental seeds manager Adam Simper.

Make the right choice will adding highly valuable diversity to forage security throughout the year – and encourage improvements in soil health, organic matter content and soil structure as well as long-term productivity gains.

Management

“Herbal leys are definitely growing in popularity largely as a result of government funding under the SFI and a growing awareness of their environmental benefits,” says Mr Simper.

Many growers considering herbal leys are faced with a completely new area of forage management – and one which is further confused by an ever-growing range of mixes on offer together with a variety of claims and characteristics.

“It’s far from a one-size-fits-all situation,” says Mr Simper.

“While there are significant opportunities for improving livestock health and performance alongside soil health, carbon capture and biodiversity benefits, this does depend on their successful integration into existing grassland management systems.”

Different options

The starting point is to make sure you understand the different options open to you and the merits of the various approaches available. “Herbal leys can be made up of a wide mixture of grasses, legumes and herbs, with their strength lying in this diversity.

“The right mixture of species can create a varied and nutrient-rich diet for livestock due to deep rooted species mining minerals from the soil’s depth and making them available via the forage.

“Furthermore, this can either be as grazing  or as a silage that can be fed to livestock year-round.

“When it comes to soil improvement, a carefully prepared mixture of species can ensure roots penetrate to different levels, dramatically improving soil structure, and helping prevent leaching, while increasing moisture and nutrient retention.

Soil benefits

“This in turn helps capture carbon, improves organic matter content and boosts the health of your soil. The legumes in herbal leys also fix nitrogen, which increases the nutrient value of the soil, helping to reduce costly fertiliser applications.”

If this is not enough, the correctly specified herbal ley mixture can increase biodiversity, support a wide range of beneficial insects and wildlife and improve the whole farm’s ecosystem, says Mr Simper.

“The diversity of swards from multiple plant species can bring strength and improve pest resistance by disrupting pest life cycles.

“But to enjoy all these benefits you must make sure the mixture you choose is suited to your livestock, soil type and grassland management.”

To get the widest range of benefits producers should make sure they select something with a diverse mix of grasses, legumes, and herbs that is suited to your whole farm enterprise, he urges.

“Under the 2023 SFI, voluntary guidance for SAM3 asked farmers to include five grass species, three legume species and five herbs. The 2024 expanded SFI offer states that the CSAM3 mix requires a minimum of one grass, two legumes and two herbs.

“It also stipulates you must minimise the use of inorganic fertilisers containing nitrogen, which is usually set at no more than around 40kg N/ha in any year.

Seed mixtures

“Common species in herbal leys include ryegrass, timothy, fescues, cocksfoot, festulolium, red and white clover, birdsfoot trefoil, chicory, plantain, sheeps burnet, sheeps parsle and yarrow.”

Agrii has a range of mixes designed to fit in with SFI requirements ranging from those aimed at delivering maximum forage production for livestock to others specifically created for overseeding to increase the diversity of an existing sward.

“Each farm’s management regime will be different so it’s a good idea to speak to an Agrii specialist who can advise you on which mix will best suit your specific needs. Even without government funding, herbal leys are a valuable addition to a farming operation.

“They can create a nutrient-rich and balanced diet that will improve livestock health and performance while also helping to improve soil and biodiversity and cutting fertiliser inputs.”